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Vivid Villa Fills a Clearing in the Coastal Woods

Location, location, location! This study in concrete and glass shines vividly from its surprisingly dense, wooded lot on Lefkada, the Greek island playground famed for its technicolor turquoise seas and world-class wind and kite surfing. This contemporary villa for rent in Greece is an island unto itself, a strong, private retreat built across two levels, occupying a panoramic perch, its glass-enclosed, top-floor living room jack-knifed over its lap pool, and the Ionian Sea sparkling beyond.

Cypresses and pines insulate this angular, seaview villa overlooking the glinting waters of the Ionian Sea. Raw concrete volumes, alternatingly whitewashed with stark unfinished accents, create a contemporary, loft-like vibe indoors. And the sweeping home’s jutting upper level is enclosed by wide sliding doors that frame its breathtaking panorama. 

An open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area, straight-up and convenient, fill the top floor, and a library downstairs gives the otherwise stark space a homier feel. Bedrooms are reached via a sturdy spiral staircase leading below, where a second living room looks over the pool and sliders open onto its turquoise waters, a narrow architectural ribbon that extends for 22 meters along the partially-shaded terrace. 

Sundrenched decks are available on both levels of the home, outfitted with loungers, an alfresco dining table, and cool, industrial trunk-styled seating, and the villa’s vast green lawn extends around the home offering an open turf that leads to the woodland border. Furnishings throughout the villa are coastal-inspired and uncomplicated. Soft, gauzy, and simple, the villa’s textiles, upholstery and bedding come in a simple palette of primary colors enlivened by turquoise.

AROUND

A favorite destination for the its startlingly turquoise waters, powdery coved beaches and world class wind- and kite-surfing, Lefkada sits in the Ionian sea, connected to mainland Greece by a causeway. Known for its dense woods creating an inland sea of green, the island features rugged central peaks and traditional mountain villages far from the coast. The lush inland areas hide dozens of wooded trails for hikers and mountain bikers, and also offer striking waterfalls and cool mountain springs. 

A series of lagoons, known as the Lefkada sea lakes, surround Lefkada town, creating a thriving habitat for migratory birds and aquatic wildlife. The town of Lefkada is a maze of streets filled with flowering church squares and 17th- and 18th-century architecture. Homes are uniquely clad in sheet-metal facades on their upper levels, reputedly to minimize earthquake damage. 

Lefkada offers outdoor terrace restaurants, cafes and tavernas, and all necessary services. Historical sites on the island include the Lefkada Lighthouse, with its views out to Ithaca and Kefalonia and the well-known, deep scuba waters below it, the Monastery of St. Nicolas, and the Church of Agios Ioannis, where it is believed the Apostle Paul preached and rare Byzantine icons are still visibly painted on the walls. The one-time summer home and burial site of legendary shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis is located near Nydri at Skorpios, and Lefkada’s fortified Venetian castle dates from the 1300s. 

Don’t miss the seafood tavernas and water’s edge cafes in the pedestrian village of Agios Nikitas. Wine and food lovers will enjoy local wine tastings, tours of the historic Venetian olive grove planted in the 17th century, and the celebrated lentils of Englouvis village, a local crop with its own annual festival. Of course, the main reason to visit Lefkada is to play in its turquoise waters and rest on its beautiful beaches. Considered to have some of the country’s most beautiful sands, Lefkada’s beaches include Katisma, Egremni, Porto Katsiki, all international Blue Flag winners. In addition to world-class wind and kitesurfing, the island also welcomes paragliders and scuba divers, prop plane enthusiasts and beachcombers, swimmers, hikers, bikers and sailors.

LOCATION

Lefkada, Greece. Nearest airport: Preveza/Aktio (30 minutes)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: This villa for rent in Greece is available mid-May through mid-October.